Megan Nicholls in front of the Bellagio

Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: 2026 Cheltenham Festival Tips

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ANTE-POST RACING TIPS

Tuesday 2.00 – Arkle Challenge Trophy

I know there’s been a lot of money for Kopek Des Bordes (6/4 fav) in the build-up to the Arkle but I’m sticking with Lulamba (15/8).

I’ve been really impressed with him over fences, particularly on his last two runs, and the fact he’s got more experience over the larger obstacles than his chief market rival could prove vital.

Willie Mullins’ charge could easily win but the fact we’ve only seen him once over fences has to be a bit of a concern.

Megan’s Tip: Lulamba WIN

Tuesday 4.00 – Champion Hurdle

The New Lion (15/8f) is the one to beat in the Champion Hurdle and I can’t see any reason to go against him, even if Lossiemouth (11/4) does turn up here.

Bar his fall in the BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle, he’s done pretty much all he’s needed to this season and we know he goes well at Cheltenham too.

The fact he stays a bit further than this two-mile trip is never a bad thing and I just think he’s got the fewest questions to answer.

If he was trained in Ireland, he’d be a lot shorter than his current price and that makes him a solid bet.

Megan’s Tip: The New Lion WIN

READ MORE: All you need to know about the 2026 Cheltenham Festival: Dates, how to watch, race profiles & more

Wednesday 1.20 – Turners Novices’ Hurdle

My dad has never shied away from the regard he holds for No Drama This End (7/2) – and I fancy him to win the Turners.

Granted, he hasn’t faced anything like the calibre of opposition he’ll face here but it’s hard not to have been impressed by what he’s done over hurdles this season and I’m not sure this race has the depth that the Supreme does.

I know horses like him have been beaten in this race in previous years but I think he’s better than those and can get the English on the board early on day two.

Megan’s Tip: No Drama This End WIN

Wednesday 4.00 – BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase

It’s a real shame Marine Nationale is out but I’m not sure he would have beaten Majborough (4/5 fav) anyway.

Yes, he does have his jumping issues, but he was very impressive last time out and really should have won last year’s Arkle bar that terrible mistake in the closing stages.

It’s fair to say he’s one of if not the most talented horses in training.

If you can get close to even money on the day, that looks a seriously good bet.

I do think L’eau Du Sud (4/1) will run really well though.

I’m not saying he’s got the class to beat the favourite but I can see him being right there jumping the second-last fence and he looks an each-way bet to nothing.

If Majborough’s jumping does go to pot, he could easily be there to pick up the pieces.

Megan’s Tip: Majborough WIN; L’eau Du Sud EW

Friday 2.40 – Mares’ Chase

I’ll be backing Panic Attack (4/1) in the Mares’ Chase.

I know she’s up against two Willie Mullins-trained contenders but she’s been so good this season and I’m not sure we’ve reached her ceiling yet.

She just continues to improve and, when you’ve got a mare like that, they are very hard to stop.

Megan’s Tip: Panic Attack WIN

Friday 4.00 – Cheltenham Gold Cup

This has to be one of the most open Cheltenham Gold Cups in recent memory and I think that makes it fascinating.

You can make really good case for so many but I do think the King George winner, The Jukebox Man (5/1) has a lot going for him and he gets my vote.

He’s one of those horses that I’m not sure we’ll ever really know how good he is because he only wins by as far as he needs to but, worryingly for his opposition, he never seems to run a bad race.

In 11 starts under rules, he’s never finished outside of the first three and he doesn’t seem to have a preference when it comes to conditions.

He ran a belter in last year’s Albert Bartlett so we know he has no issues at the track.

What an amazing story it would be for Harry Redknapp to own the Gold Cup winner.

Megan’s Tip: The Jukebox Man WIN

Friday 5.20 – Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle

Last, and by no means least, I like the look of A Pai De Nom (8/1) in the Martin Pipe.

This is always fiercely competitive and trainers have been plotting horses out for it for months… but I do think Dan Skelton’s runner has solid claims.

He bolted up at Newbury last time and, while he’s up in the weights for that, I’m hopeful he’s got loads more of improvement in him.

Skelton is a master at getting horses right for these big handicap hurdles and the fact A Pai De Nom has entries in both the Turners and Albert Bartlett shows he clearly holds him in fairly high regard.

Megan’s Tip: A Pai De Nom WIN

Don’t forget to visit the BetMGM Cheltenham Festival Hub for all the latest odds, offers and tips as well as race day profiles and more.

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation

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